Get healthy winter skin

Winter weather can cause dry, flaky, itchy skin. Find out what you can do to keep your skin soft and smooth all winter long.

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize

Dry skin is caused by a lack of moisture. Keep your skin hydrated by moisturizing morning and night. For especially dry skin, reapply moisturizer throughout the day. Look for moisturizers with soothing ingredients like aloe and vitamin E.

Avoid harsh cleansers

Cleansing products can deplete your skin of its natural moisturizers. Use non-detergent-based, moisturizing cleansers from head to toe. Instead of traditional bath soap, try a hydrating body wash with oils and botanicals that will soothe and protect your skin. Immediately after you get out of the bath or shower, apply your favorite lotion to seal in moisture.

Get a humidifier

For dry skin, a home humidifier is essential. It’s not just the outdoor air that dries your skin. Furnaces and other heat sources take their toll on your skin as well. By running a humidifier in your bedroom, you can return moisture to the air and your skin. A humidifier can also clear out congestion and naturally relieve your cough.

Skip the bath

Hot water can definitely dry out your skin. Instead of taking a piping hot bath, stick with shorter showers in lukewarm water. Also remember to turn down the temperature when hand washing. The water doesn’t need to be so hot that your skin turns red. Make it a habit to apply moisturizer immediately after washing your hands every single time.

Exfoliate weekly

Regular exfoliation will prep your skin for your moisturizer. Products will be much more effective if you slough away the dead skin cells first. Use a gentle exfoliating product once a week on your body as well as your face.

Eat right

Your skin can certainly be affected by your diet. Omega-3 essential fatty acids add moisture to your body and skin. Eat omega-3 rich fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, lake trout and albacore tuna a couple of times a week. If you hate fish, you can get omega-3 fatty acids from walnuts, flax seed and hemp seed. Also be sure to drink plenty of water, too.

Cover up

When you go outside in the wintertime, protect your skin from the elements by wearing plenty of warm layers. For particularly harsh weather, a knit scarf can help protect your face from wind and freezing temperatures. Avoid staying outdoors for lengthy periods of time, if at all possible.